It has been a turbulent past few weeks for Jusuf Nurkić who has seen his playing time plummet, and another new experience this season happened to him against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.

Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer addressed the loss to the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night by discussing their size issues.

Bradley Beal rang up 25 points for the second time in his three games coming off the bench to lead the Suns. Kevin Durant scored 23 points as did Grayson Allen off the bench while Devin Booker posted a double-double of 20 points and 12 assists to just two turnovers in 40 minutes.

The Phoenix Suns picked up a much-needed victory on Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks ... Phoenix moved both Beal and Jusuf Nurkić to the bench earlier in the week, but while Beal has ...

For a second straight game, Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić was benched and did not ... before sitting the last two vs. the Jazz and Atlanta Hawks. Going from starting practically every game ...

Grayson Allen (left knee soreness) is probable after being ruled out at halftime with the injury during Sunday's 120-113 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Allen recorded 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting and two steals in 13 minutes off the bench in the first half.

After trading for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to pair with Devin Booker, the Phoenix Suns were expected to be one of the better teams in the Western Conference if not downright title favorites. Since getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs last season, they currently stand at a pitiful 17-19 on the season.

PHOENIX — Devin Booker stood at his locker late Sunday night. The Phoenix Suns had just beaten the Charlotte Hornets on their home court, hardly a reason for celebration. But the effort had given the struggling Suns their third win in a row and their fourth in five games since coach Mike Budenholzer altered the lineup.

After winning three consecutive contests, the Phoenix Suns saw their recent hot streak come to an end as they lost to the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday ... They were without Jusuf Nurkić in the game ...

The Suns have agreed to a trade that will send guard Josh Okogie and three second round draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets. >> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.

In just the fifth season since then, the Suns sit at 19-20 after 39 games in 2025 with the highest payroll in NBA history. They fell below .500 for the second time this season after giving up 43 points to Trae Young as the Atlanta Hawks discarded the Suns 122-117 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The Phoenix Suns begin a five-game road trip Tuesday at Atlanta with Jusuf Nurkic back in Phoenix with the flu.